Chapter 60 Picked Up In The Rye Field!
The next morning, Sara got ready earlier than usual. She was still wearing her horseback riding outfit from yesterday.
Today, she had to head to the southern part of the territory where they were cultivating rye in the morning. Since she had told the maid to prepare breakfast in her room the night before, the table was already set.
After quickly finishing breakfast, she headed to the entrance hall, where Marquis, Robert, Rebecca, and Pollux were already gathered.
"Good morning. I'm sorry I'm late."
"No, we're the ones who arrived early. We couldn't help but feel anxious."
Pollux started talking to Sara. Because of their height difference, Sara felt like she'd get a stiff neck if they kept talking like this.
"Earlier, His Excellency the Marquis told us that Miss Sara had revealed a secret. Now we can openly ask for your help."
"I think it's strange to ask an 8-year-old girl for help like that..."
Just then, Marquis approached Sara and picked her up. While it was easier to talk now that their eye levels were even, this situation was quite embarrassing.
"Don't act like a normal little girl anymore. It's a waste of time."
"Grandfather, isn't this change too sudden? This situation is really embarrassing."
"If we're going to correct our behavior, it's better to do it sooner. And what's wrong with carrying my grandchild?"
'Grandfather, you're being too open about it!'
"I don't quite understand..."
"Isn't it convenient for you too?"
"Well..."
Despite having made a comment that belittled women just last night, Marquis was acting as if nothing had happened.
"Pollux, we need to hurry. Make it quick."
"Yes, sir!"
Pollux began explaining the plans for the day.
"We've already sent out the horses to the farms that are cultivating the Rye last night. Once we arrive on site, we'll be guided to the fields with the ergot. We've also informed the Alchemist Guild and Pharmacist Guild that we'll be holding the scheduled meeting on site. And, as we have preparations to make, we've told them to gather at the location."
"Mr. Pollux, will you call the maidens as well?"
"Already taken care of. The carriage with the maidens has departed ahead of us, so we can meet up with them on the way."
Marquis looked puzzled upon hearing this conversation.
"Sara, what do you mean by 'the maidens'?"
"They're women who work for me. Although they're not registered with the Guild, we have alchemists and pharmacists, as well as craftsmen who can build distillation furnaces."
"Hmm...they're quite the talented individuals, but can they be of use?"
"My grandfather saw the Rye with ergot, but the alchemists and pharmacists judged it to be poisonous just by looking at it."
"I see. If Sara says so, then their abilities shouldn't be a problem."
'Isn't he trusting me so much? After all, he know I'm a reincarnator."
Sara, still feeling uneasy, rode on her grandfather's horse and hurried to the fields where the Rye infected with ergot was being cultivated.
* * *
After taking a break and riding for about 4 hours, they arrived at the destination. The carriages of the Alchemist Guild and Pharmacist Guild, as well as the girls, had arrived earlier and set up a tent as their workspace. Marquis, who had dismounted his horse, called out to the Guild members. Theofrastos and Alexander were also in sight.
It seemed they had received the message and prepared through the night, departing before dawn with their cargo.
Nearby, the farmer who managed this field was also present, but he was keeping his distance, looking on with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
"Don't bother yourself."
Theofrastos approached Marquis and handed him a stalk of Rye with ergot.
"Your Excellency the Marquis, I'm Theofrastos, representing the Alchemist Guild. I apologize for the suddenness, but may I have your attention?"
"Hmm. It seems the ergot fungus has already infected the wheat."
"Yes. This is a wheat stalk I collected from around here. It's likely that the wheat in this area will be completely ruined."
Just then, a nearby farmer rushed over and prostrated himself at the Marquis's feet.
"Marquis, if you cut down all the wheat, our livelihoods will be destroyed. Please, couldn't you spare the wheat that hasn't been infected by the black seeds?"
"Who are you?"
"I'm Jade, in charge of this area."
"Hmm. Jade, and I'll make sure to inform the farmers as well. All the wheat in this area will be cut down, and we won't allow wheat to be planted here next year either."
"No!! Please have mercy! If you do that, we'll starve to death!"
Jade begged, tears streaming down his face. The nearby farmers also began to wail.
"Grandfather, aren't you being too harsh on them?"
"No, I'll explain."
"But if you make them cry first, they might not listen to the end."
Sara got off her horse and took Jade's hand, helping him stand up.
"Please, Jade and all the farmers, listen to the end. Yes, we'll cut down the wheat, but Grandchester will compensate for the loss. Depending on the situation, we'll also ensure your income is compensated next year and possibly the year after. Don't worry, okay? Grandfather?"
Prompted by Sara's words, the Marquis stepped forward and began to speak to the farmers.
"That's right. This is like a disease that infects wheat. If we leave it alone, it'll spread to other wheat fields. I must protect all the wheat in this territory, which means I have to cut down all the infected wheat here. Moreover, the disease will remain in the soil, so we can't plant wheat here next year either."
The Marquis paused for a breath before continuing.
"However, I can sense that you people have worked hard on this barren land and finally managed to grow the rye with great difficulty. To repay your efforts, I promise to buy these crops at the same price as those that have grown normally. I'll pay the same amount next year as well."
Then, Marquis lifted Sara up and whispered in her ear, "Tell them your thoughts as well."
"I'd like to greet everyone again. My name is Sara Grandchester. Could you please tell me the story of how you came to cultivate rye here?"
In response to Sara's question, Jade looked her in the eye and answered.
"I was the one who promoted it. If I need to take responsibility, please punish me alone."
'Oh no, there's been a terrible misunderstanding!'
"What are you saying? We're praising the people who developed a breed that can grow in poor soil, not punishing them! It's absurd!"
"Will you forgive me?""
Sara patted Marquis's shoulder and whispered, "Put me down." Marquis reluctantly set Sara down.
"There's no need to apologize from the start. We understand that rye is a valuable crop, and the outbreak of disease was just bad luck. What's more important is that you didn't give up on this barren land and cultivated it, creating a field of this size. As a member of the Grandchester family, I deeply thank you all."
Sara bowed deeply to Jade and the farmers, a gesture that could be called the most respectful courtesy.
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